Bauple store to close its doors

WHEN the Bauple Friendly Grocer closes its doors on September 30, it will mean the loss of 10 jobs as well as the only source of fuel, post office services, ATM and groceries in the small community.

Store owners Marc and Yolande Bromet have blamed the closure on a decision by the Fraser Coast Regional Council to sign a lease reducing the number of overnight RV sites in Bauple from more than 30 to between four to six.

They believe the reduction in site numbers has led to a bad reputation for Bauple for RVs and therefore reduced sales through the store.

Marc said the couple had already noticed a negative impact since the recreation grounds stopped being available to RVs in early August.

"Our shop is being forced to close," Yolande said.

"The community are the biggest losers out of this."

The council made the decision in May 2011 to develop an RV park in the centre of Bauple, rather than continuing to use the recreation grounds as a site.

A lease was then signed between the council and the Bauple and District Recreation Ground Association last year that meant the grounds could not be used as a permanent RV site.

Yolande said the council had been given feedback from the Bauple community that the majority wanted the recreation ground to remain as an overnight RV spot.

Mayor Gerard O'Connell said the decision to develop the smaller site was made after most of the community agreed.

He said the lease was signed by the council to formalise an agreement made by the former Tiaro Shire Council.